Automatic shoe shine machine



Sept. 5, 1967 G, 5 EAST ETAL 3,339,219

AUTOMATIC SHOE SHINE MACHINE Filed Feb. 12, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet l 46' 4 8 5 r I W sow our 505 221 5!:

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p 1967 G. B. BAST ETAL AUTOMATIC SHOE SHINE MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 12, 1965 P 19.67 a. 8. EAST ETAL 3,339,219

AUTOMATIC SHOE SHINE MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 12, 1965 HVVENTORS Gordvcgmm @412 A TTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,339,219 AUTOMATIC SHOE SHINE MACHINE Gordon Byron Bast, Lombard, Ill., and Leo J. Fregeau, 6540 Pontiac Drive, La Grange, Ill. 60525; said Bast assignor to said Fregeau Filed Feb. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 432,135 18 Claims. (Cl. 15-31) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A coin-operated shoe shine apparatus for receiving first one shoe and sequentially cleaning, applying polish thereto, and bufling said shoe and thereafter, the apparatus remaining operable without the insertion of additional coins to repeat the shoe shining sequence on a second shoe. The apparatus utilizing a foot rest; a plurality of reciprocating brushes associated with the foot rest, which are divided into two groups, one group engaging the sides of the shoe, the other engaging the vamp of the shoe; a plurality of polish containing canisters with dispensing valves connected to nozzles operably positioned with respect to the foot rest for the application of polish to the shoes; a control system for initiating the shoe shining sequence upon the depression of a switch by the operator; the control system including a coinaccepter and a hold circuit which permits two shining cycles for each coin initiated period of operation.

This invention relates generally to vending machines, and more particularly to an automatic, coin-operated shoe shine machine.

Shoe shining is a manual task normally performed either in the home by the individual himself or at shoe shine stands by so-called shoe-shine boys, who are paid for this service. These stands are most frequently found in barber shops, in rest rooms, at transportation terminals, or in shoe repair shops. Accordingly, the opportunity to have this service rendered is limited by the length of regular business hours for the aforementioned establishments.

This time factor has presented a particular problem for the traveler and/or other persons who sought this service at irregular hours. In recent years, with our increasing propensity to travel for both business and pleasure, the lack of facilities to obtain a shine has be come more pronounced.

Accordingly, the principal object of this invention is to solve the above noted problem by providing a coinoperated automatic vending machine that is reliable and efiicient in operation, and is available for operation at all times of day or night.

Another object of the invention is to provide facilities for ready customer selection of desired shoe polish color.

Another object is to provide a self-contained machine that is compact in size and portable in nature, and can be readily installed at suitable locations in hotels, motels, restaurants, hospitals, etc., and can be easily maintained at periodic intervals.

Another object is to provide a vending machine that is reasonably priced for the service rendered to the customer, and will return a fair profit to the vendor.

Another object is to provide a Vending machine with a predetermined program sequence of operation that automatically insures a shoe shine with a glossy finish. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide electrical interlocks to insure proper operation against any confusion in a hurried customer.

Another object is to provide a shoe shine machine with instructions clearly printed thereon, so that the customer 3,339,219 Patented Sept. 5, 1967 can operate the machine with minimum eifort and maximum efliciency.

This invention, its mode of operation, and many additional advantages should be readily understood and appreciated from the following brief description of a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic shoe polisher in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed elevation view of an operating panel portion of the shoe shiner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectioned perspective view illustrating the physical orientation of individual shoe polishing mechanisms of apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially schematic of some principal drive and control elements contained in the cabinet of the shoe polisher of FIG. 1 and illustrates the geometric relations thereof;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the control and electrical circuitry employed in apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a complete schematic diagram of control and electrical power circuits of apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The invention comprises generally a suitably ornamented, readily movable, housing cabinet configured for convenient disposition in a customer frequented location. Exteriorly, the housing cabinet comprises suitable instructions, apertures for receiving and returning coins, and necessarily operated selective controls for the customer. Interiorly, the housing comprises a pedestal to serve as a customer foot rest, plural polish reservoirs and polish dispensing channels, appropriate brushes, and complete, automatic, electrically powered arrangements for effecting automatic polishing of two shoes in accordance with customer operation of the aforementiend exterior controls.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective view a complete polisher 10 in accordance with the invention. The polisher is housed in a cabinet 12 to which electrical power is supplied from a conventional three prong wall receptacle by way of plug 14 and a grounded two conductor cable 16. A front panel 18 of this cabinet 12 is appropriately decorated with suitably attractive display material and includes a coin return slot 22.

An inclined lower cover panel 24 includes an appropriately configured opening 26 for receiving the foot of a customer wearing a shoe to be polished. Within the cabinet by way of opening 26, is located a substantially conventional pedestal or foot rest 28 to insure proper positioning of a customers foot The cabinet 12 includes an upper, control panel 32 having simple, clearly legible customer operating instructions 34 thereon. The panel further includes a coin insert slot 36, a coin return button 38, polish color selector indicator lights 42, 44 for, normally, black and brown polish. These indicator lights are positioned as shown in association with related color exhausted lights 46, 48 and color selector switch operating push button 49. An illuminated cycle commence push button 52 is further provided in this control panel 32. p

The control panel 32 is illustrated in enlarged scale and in more descriptive detail in FIG. 2. Here some instructional labels are shown lettered in this larger scale drawing, corresponding to the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, for ease in understanding the operational function of the elements of the panel 32. In this enlarged scale view of FIG. 2 designating numbers corresponding to those of FIG. 1 are employed and the so designated elements are the same in the two figures. The lettered labels yield additional information as to the functional interrelationship of these elements.

Looking next to thesectioned perspective view of FIG. 3, there is seen the physical orientation of principal ones of the multiple operating structures of apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The stationary pedestal or foot rest 28 is shown mounted within the cabinet 12. On the far side of this pedestal 28 are positioned two, dual nozzle, polish spray heads 54, 56 connected to polish dispensing tubing 53, 55, 57, 58 which are illustrated in broken section for clarity of viewing. The nozzles of these spray heads 54, 56 are respectively connected by way of illustrated tubing to well known solenoid operated, dispensing valves 50, 60, each operated selectively to dispense polish from canisters 58, 68. These canisters, respectively are pressurized aerosol canisters for black and brown liquid shoe polish. The valves 50, 60 are respectively operated by windings 59, 69, through electrical connections shown in FIG. 7, to dispense polish to the associated ones of far side of tubing leads 53, 55, 57, 58. Companion paired spray nozzles are not shown in this sectioned view but, in the represented, complete structure of the invention, are similarly positioned to the near side of the foot rest pedestal 28 and are associated with tubing leads 63, 67 and 65, 68. Thus, from the paired, dual nozzle spray heads represented by spray heads 54, 56, a spray of polish is directed under pressure against the heel portion and vamp portion (front) of the shoe on pedestal 28 from both sides when either of solenoid valves 50 or 60 is energized.

That is to say, in dependence upon which one of solenoid windings 59 or 69 is energized, black or brown liquid polish is passed by way of indicated tubing to one nozzle of both the far side spray heads 54, 56 and to one nozzle of each of the like, near side heads, not shown by reason of sectioning in this view.

The polish having been applied to the shoe, far side, polishing brush 94 (and a paired near side polishing brush not shown) are actuated reciprocally along the longitudinally extending metal shaft 91 by a polynoid linear actuator 90. This actuator has a casing 92 for rotatably mounting a crank arm 93 provided for mounting side brush 94. A spring 95 is provided for tensioning together the crank arm 93 and a paired, but not illustrated, side brush for the near side of a shoe which is positioned on rest pedestal 28. This polynoid linear actuator is substantially a series of induction coils mounted within casing 92 about the fixed, conductive metal shaft 91. When the windings are electrically energized, the resulting magnetic field interacts with that induced in shaft 91 to drive the casing 92 reciprocally along this shaft thus to actuate the paired side brushes on either side of the customers shoe. These Polynoid Linear Actuators are well known in the art and are available commercially from the Skinner Precision Industries, Inc., New Britain, Conn. Clearly, many and varied other suitable drive arrangements of this type are known in the art.

A photocell 96 is side mounted on casings 92 for limiting motion of the side brushes. This photocell 96 cooperates with continuously illuminated lamp 98 and the associated unnumbered screen to generate an electrical reversing signal for polynoid 90 when the paired side brushes have moved longitudinally to the left, to a limit position. Thereafter the casing 92, with mounted side brushes, moves to the right beyond light shield 213 until actuation of another, homing switch 224. This reciprocal operation of the longitudinally moving polynoid 90 (and of a companion, laterally moving polynoid 80) is considered in more detail hereafter in connection with The discussion of FIG. 4.

A like, horizontally reciprocating polynoid 80 having casing 82 is mounted for reciprocal motion on conductive, metallic shaft 81. This polynoid mounting includes a right hand homing switch 180 connected and arranged like to switch 224. This laterally moving polynoid, corresponding to polynoid 90, is associated with light shield 313, photocell 97, lamp and shield 99 and a vamp polishing brush 84.

This vamp polishing brush 84 is shown separated, by a broken section of connecting bar 83, from the laterally moving polynoid for reasons of clarity. The vamp brushes 84, clearly, are positioned on bar 83 for bufling the top front of a shoe positioned on pedestal 28.

The electrical control and operating circuitry 100 for apparatus in accordance with the invention is housed within the cabinet 12 as shown at the upper left.

Looking now to the above noted FIG. 4, the drive arrangements in accordance with the invention become more clear. A customers shoe to be shined is positioned on pedestal 28. The polynoid 90 is shown oriented with this pedestal 28 by the center line 111 which in this diagrammatic drawing, indicates the path of travel of the casing along the rod 91 which is shown in FIG. 3. A lamp-shield arrangement 98, energized by alternating current leads 112, 114, defines an illuminated area 113 along the path of travel of the polynoid 90.

This casing bears photocell 96 connected in circuit with relay operating winding 220 to neutral lead 114. This photocell 96, as shown, is connected also in series with capacitor 218 and with voltage dropping resistor 219 and a rectifying diode 217. This latter diode, though such is not shown in this FIG. 4, is connected in series with an A.C. line equivalent to the lead 112 for supplying rectified pulses of energy, consistent with the conduction of photocell 96, to relay operating winding 220.

Thus, as photocell 96 is illuminated, Winding 220 is energized by rectified current pulses for operating switch 221 to an opposite condition. Capacitor 218 serves in conjunction with resistor 219 to smooth the applied pulses 'to an equivalent D.C. value.

Now, in FIG. 4 there are indicated diagrammatically, two oppositely acting solenoidal windings 116, 118 having a common terminal connected to neutral lead 114. For definiteness, winding 116 is considered the right hand actuating winding for the polynoid 90 as indicated by the associated arrow. Opposite terminals of these two windings are connected through capacitor 207 which is of a high impedance for power frequency currents of frequency corresponding to that supplied by lines 112, 114.

Energy is supplied to opposite sides of capacitor 207 through leads 205, 206 from A.C. energized lead 112 through switch 237 in dependence on the position of relay switch 221. Since windings 116, 118 have a common terminal connected to the neutral lead 114, it is clear that both windings 116, 118 are energized whichever one of leads 205 or 206 is connected to the energized lead 112. Equally clearly, the capacitor operates as a high impedance and as a phase shifter in supplying such current to the windings 116 or 118. Thus, the one actuating winding or the other has dominant effect in moving the casing of polynoid 90.

Now, consider a physical situation. As polynoid 90 with photocell 96 moves to the left into illuminated area 113 (carrying with it side polishing brushes 94) rectified operating current in winding 220 moves switch 221 from the position shown. Thus, A.C. power is supplied from lead 112 directly to winding 116 and the polynoid 90 is moved, in accordance with the arrow, to the right.

Now, the polynoid moves right from the illuminated area 113. The photocell 96 is illuminated only by ambient residual light. The winding 220 and switch 221 are so calibrated as to hold the switch in its quiescent condition with only ambient light energizing of photocell 96.

Now, the photocell is carried right behind light shield 213. Now, the photocell is in (relatively) absolute darkness. Switch 221 returns from the operated condition to the condition illustrated as even residual current fiow fails in winding 220. Thus, left actuating winding 118 is activated through lead 206 directly and the side brush bearing polynoid casing is returned to the left.

To now, we have, for simplicity, made no mention of the switches 237, 224. Switch 237 is a program operated switch as will be considered in detail hereafter. For understanding of FIG. 4 sufiice it to say, switch 237 is operated twice each shoe shining cycle to a position opposite to that illustrated for cleaning each shoe and, thereafter, buffing this shoe after polish is applied.

Now, as these cleaning and buffing periods end, it is desired the polynoid be always definitely positioned. This is accomplished by the homing switch, designated generally 204. As switch 237 operates at the end of a clean or bufi cycle, to the position illustrated, power is supplied through switch 204, as illustrated, to the right actuating lead 205, by-passing solenoid switch 221. As the polynoid 90 moves to the right, it strikes actuating lever 208 for switch 209. This de-energizes right actuating winding 116 and winding 118 remains disabled by positioning of switch 237 as shown.

Thus, in summary, the light 98 and shield 213 alternate in shifting direction of motion of polynoid 90 by operation of switch 221. Upon time programmed shifting of switch 237, the movement of the side brush carrying polynoid is enabled only in a fixed direction through the homing switch 204 which is operated to an open condition on travel of that polynoid to a fixed position.

Turning next to the schematic diagram of FIG. 5, there are seen details of the control and energizing circuits indicated by numeral 100 in FIG. 3 and shown in a complete circuit environment in the diagram of FIG. 7.

In FIG. 5 there are shown color selector lights 42, 44 connected in circuit with A.C. energized lead 112 by way of switch 242. Referring to FIG. 1, this switch 242 is ganged for simultaneous operation with color select switch 49.

The switch 49 is energized by a cam operated switch 239, once each single shoe shine cycle, from AC. power lead 312. In one position or another, color selector switch 49 supplies power from A.C. lead 312 by the cam operated switch 239 to either of polish dispensing solenoids 59, 69 and to the corresponding counter solenoids 359,

369. As indicated by dashed lines, these latter counter solenoids are respectively linked to operate switches 243, 244 which are each connected by way of color selector switch 49 (acting through linked switch 242) to A.C. power lead 112.

Thus, when a polish dispensing electrical pulse is applied by cam operated switch 239 to either of solenoid polish dispensing windings 59, 69, a count of that dispensing is made toward insuring that either indicated light 46 or 48 provides warning to the customer, who operates selector switch 49, that the desired polish is exhausted. At the same time, solenoid winding 248 is energized with the lighting of a selected one of polish exhausted lights 46, 48 through diodes 261, 262 to energize an operating winding for a coin rejecting switch 232 (seen hereafter). Thus, in accordance with the invention, a color-disappointed customer finds his money returned automatically.

Turning now to FIG. 6, there is seen a complete schematic diagram of electrical control and energizing circuits of apparatus in accordance with the invention the respective switches being illustrated in the open or non-functioning position. These circuits have been indicated, in connection with FIG. 3, as being physically placed in the housing 100. The grounded plug 14 is shown connected to two conductors 112, 114 associated with the cable 16, as shown in FIG. 1. Lead 112 passes through a manually operated switch 225 positioned within cabinet 12 for energizing apparatus in accordance with the invention. There is also provided a series connected protective fuse 224. These two leads, 112, 114, are connected to supply parallel connected, substantially conventional polynoid cooling motors 190, 380 associated respectively with the polynoids 90, 80 seen in FIG. 1.

Connected also across the leads 112, 114 is a coin acceptor 301 having terminals 302, 303, 304, 305, 306. The input terminal 302 is connected to lead 112 by way of a relay operated switch 232 associated with an operating winding 248 shown to the far right of the drawing in series circuit with diodes 261, 262, and sold out lights 46, 48 which were noted in connection with FIG. 1. The coin acceptor 301 is of a type well known in the vending art and is of such a nature as to complete appropriate electrical circuits therethrough upon insertion of a required number of coins. The switch 232 is normally in the right hand position shown, but upon failure of polish, as indicated by illumination of lights 46 or 48, current will flow through operating winding 248 to shift switch 232 to an opposite open position. The coin acceptor is so constructed in accordance with the art as to reject coins upon failure of alternating current supply from lead 112 to the terminal 302.

Assuming switch 232 to be in the illustrated normal condition, upon insertion of proper coins in the coin acceptor 301, power is supplied from pin 303 to winding 331 which is electro-mechanically coupled to switches 226, 228 and 231. The lateer of these, 231, thus, is operated to the position shown to supply power to right hand contacts of switches 233 and 234 which, as shown, are connected directly to power lead 112. This only apparently needless duplication is explained from the fact that, once switch 231 is closed by the winding 331, then with switches 233 and 234 in the positions illustrated, the lead 112 supplies current by way of switch 231 to provide an operating current in winding 331 for holding switches 226, 228 and 231 in a position opposite to that illustrated.

Closure of switch 236 supplies operating current to winding 341 through this cam operated switch 236 by way of push button switch 52. Relay operating winding 341 is electro-mechanically coupled to switches 223 and 227, which are illustrated in the unoperated condition. Power is supplied through switch 227 for energizing program motor 350 which is associated with a suitable gear reduction box 351 in order that this motor may supply drives of one rpm. and two r.p.m. by respective dashed line indicated linkages 357 and 358. These linkages respectively include cams suitably, configured as is well known in the cam art, that the linkages 357 and 358 yield appropriate actuation at periods of one minute and thirty seconds, respectively. Thus, we note that the one r.p.m. linkage 357 is associated with illustrated open switches 229 and 234 while the two r.p.m. linkage 358 is associated with open switches 233, 235, 236, 237, 238 and 239.

This latter switch 239 is closed momentarily by the two r.p.m. linkage to supply a burst of energy to manually operated switch 49 which, it will be recalled from discussion of FIG. 1, is a two position, electrical switch which is manually operated by push button. This switch, as shown, is connected to two pairs of parallel arranged, solenoid windings 59, 359 and 69, 369. Windings 59 and 69, respectively, provide operating pulses of magnetic energy for opening the valves associated with the black and brown polish canisters, respectively. Thus, as switch 239 is operated momentarily by the linkage 358, a burst of energy is applied to either the black or the brown dispensing solenoids associated with the windings 59 or 69. Whichever of these dispensing solenoids is so energized, a like pulse is supplied to the corresponding counter winding 359 or 369. The former is a black polish counter winding and the latter -a brown polish counter winding. Thus, these windings provide an accurate count, through a suitable well-known mechanism, of the number of dispensations that have been made of either the black or brown polish as indicated by dashed lines. The counter windings 359 and 369 are respectively linked to switches 243, 244.

These latter switches, when operated, thereby supply power from the alternating current line 112 through switch 242 to one or the other of sold-out lights 46, 48. These lights are connected across the operating winding 248 for the switch 232, to which allusion has been made heretofore. Upon proper coin insertion in the coin acceptor 301, electrical energy is supplied from the fuse 224 both to solenoid operating winding 331 and to a diode 217 as well as to a common point between two diodes 261, 262, which are respectively associated, as shown, with the sold-out lights 46, 48. In the event that one or the other of the polish canisters has been sold out, as indicated by the appropriate number of counts on the counter associated with the respective windings 359, 369. the related switch 243, 244, will be shifted from the position illustrated, thus to supply illuminating power from the alternating current lead 112 by way of switch 242 when that appropriate color is selected. If such a sold-out color should be selected by the switch 49, illuminating current will flow through linked switch 242 and the appropriate one of switches 243, 244, to illuminate the indicated lamp 46 or 48 and rectified current will be passed through one of the diodes 261, 262, to the operating winding 248. This in turn opens switch 232 to return the coin to the customer.

Having discussed in detail some of the circuit components of FIG. 6, let us look at the behavior of this control system in a practical shoe-shining situation. The manually operated switch 225 is normally closed by an attendant upon commencement of the days operations. Power then is supplied to the power leads 112, 114 as shown. Power is thus supplied to blower motors 380, 190 associated respectively with the polynoids 80, 90 seen in FIG. 3. Following instruction 34 printed on the upper surface 32 of a machine in accordance with the invention which is shown, for example, in FIG. 1, the customer, following instructions, positions his foot on the pedestal 28 and inserts a coin in the coin acceptor slot 36. Assuming his color is determined, he selects this color by operating the switch 49. Normally, neither one of the lights 46, 48 will light to indicate that the color polish he has selected is sold out, Should this be the case, of course, the customer may still push the button 38, see FIG. 1, and get his money back in slot 22. Normally, however, the situation will be that the winding 248' is not energized and neither of the lamps 46, 48 is lighted, whatever color selection may be made by the customers operating switch 49.

The relay operating winding 331 is next energized from terminal 303 of the coin acceptor 301. The switch 231 is operated to a downward position by the current in winding 331. At the same time switches 226 and 228, which are electro-magnetically coupled to windings 331, are operated from the positions shown. With the closure of switch 228 light 52 is energized to illuminate push button switch 52 to indicate that the machine is now ready for commencing a shoe shine. It will be recalled that winding 331 remains energized now by virtue of the connection from lead 112 through switches 233 and 231. The customer, now ready, pushes the button 52 and his shine commences. Through push button 52, power is supplied to the operating winding 341 for closure of switches 223 and 227. Thus, power is supplied direct from lead 112 to the programming motor 350 which, by the several cam gear linkages 357, 358, commences the shoe polishing operation. Photocell illuminating lamps 98, 99 associated respectively with photocells 96, 97 are immediately illuminated. Switches 237 and 238 are successively closed momentarily in order that the respectively associated polynoid actuating windings 116, 118, 316, 318, may be energized for a brief interval in order to clean off the first shoe presented on the pedestal 28. The reciprocating motion of these polynoids, it will be recalled, with reference to the discussion of FIG. 4, is attended by the opening and closing of switches 221 and 321. In order to protect the switches against pitting, the resistors and capacitors 361,

8 362, 371, 372, 381, 382, 391, 392 are connected, as shown, in parallel with the above noted switches which must be periodically opened and closed, to accomplish reversal of the shoe polishing brushes.

After this initial cleaning operation of the brushes for a brief interval, the cam linkage 358 momentarily operates switch 239 to supply a pulse of energy to either winding 59 or 69 in dependence upon the customers selected position of switch 49. This gives a momentary spurt of spray from the selected canister 58 or 68, as shown in FIG. 1, or FIG. 3, and thereafter a brief drying interval ensues until the switches 237, 238 are successively operated to supply operating current to the side brush operating windings 116, 118 and to the vamp brush operating windings 316, 318. Upon completion of this bufiing operation as determined by 2 rpm. linkage 358, switch 236 is momentarily opened and then closed by cam action of the linkage 358. The momentary opening of switch 236 results in the failure of current through switch 52 causing said switch to open and resulting in deenergization of winding 341. Accordingly, the failure of current in winding 341 returns switches 227 and 223 to their open or nonfunctioning position. The opening of switch 227 cuts off current supplied to the motor 350 which in turn results in a halt in the shoe shining cycle. All this time, however, switch 234 (operated by the 1 rpm. linkage 357) remains closed to provide energizing current for winding 331. Thus, switches 226, 228, 231 remain closed, opposite to that as shown.

In passing it may be noted here that switch 229 is operated once each complete two shoe cycle by linkage 357 to provide a pulse of current to counter winding 390 which is representative of a familiar counter arranged to give an independent check on the number of coins that should be in the acceptor 301.

Now, during the interval after completion of a one shoe shining operation, winding 331 remains energized through 1 rpm. operated switch 234. Consequently, switches 226, 231, 228 remain operated from the positions shown to illuminate lamp 52.

The motor 350 is stopped by cam opening of switch 235 and the above noted opening of switch 227. The push button switch 52 for commencing a shining cycle, having heretofore been once operated, is returned to a normal open condition. The lighting of lamp 52 signals the cessation of operation to a customer having one shoe shined, he shifts feet, and, when ready, again pushes switch 52. The single shoe shining cycle now commences a second time but now switch 234 is opened by linkage 357 such that, when shining of the second shoe is complete, winding 331 is no longer energized through this switch 234.

Accordingly, when this second cycle is completed, new coin insertions must be made. Thus, when the several cam operated switches have completed a new cycle of operation under drive of the 1 rpm. linkage 358, the apparatus 10 is in a renewed condition for another customer.

There has been described a single illustrative embodiment of the invention. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that numerous and varied modifications may be made to this illustrative embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is set forth in the appended claims. Thus, for example, it is well known in the art that mechanisms other than the illustrated polynoids may be employed for achieving linear reciprocal brush movement by inductive electromagnetic coil interactions. Further, suitable mechanical linkages for other more conventional motors are known.

Still within the spirit and scope of the invention, it will be clear, multiple, well known polish color selecting arrangements may be provided and many other coin energizing arrangements may be employed.

What is sought to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An automatically cyclic shoe shining apparatus for 9 at arty one time receiving only one shoe and having means for sequentially cleaning, applying polish, and 'bufiing said shoe and then repeating such sequence for a second presented shoe during the same cycle of automatic operation, said apparatus comprising:

anenergized first lead,

a neutral second lead,

an aperiodic switching means for coupling energizing power to said first lead,

, aplurality of switching devices divided into a first and "second group, each switching device being coupled between said first and second leads,

- a motor coupled between said leads by way of said switching devices,

.camlinlrage driven by said motor and connected to said switching devices for actuating said two groups at a fixed ratio such that the switching devices of said first group proceed through two cycles enabling said means to effect the repeated sequences of cleanmg, applying polish, and buffing while the switchv ing devices of said second group proceed through one cycle and thereupon terminate the automatic operation of said apparatus.

2. Anapparatus as defined in claim 1 in which,

said aperiodic switching means is a coin energized acceptor,

- said linkage is a cam drive connected to said motor for sequentially actuating different ones of said switching devices, and further comprising a manually-operated motor control switch coupled between said leads through one of said switching devices in said first group and means energized through said coin energized acceptor.

:3 apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprrsmg:

' shoe brushing means driven past a shoe position location,- and inductiondrive means coupled to at least one of said first group of switching devices and to said brushing means for driving said brushing means relative to the shoe during the cleaning and bufiing portions of a cycle;

4. An apparatus .as defined in claim 3 in which said induction drive means includes:

reciprocating drive elements and photoelectric detecting means coupled in drive direction switching relation with said reciprocatingdrive elements,

a part of said photoelectric switching means being fixedly positioned in the path of said drive elements for causing reciprocation of said brushing means.

5, An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

polish containing and supplying means, and

control means coupled between said polish means and one of said first group of switching devices,

said one switching device energizing said control means only during the polish applying portion of said two cycles.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which said control means include 1 counter means incrementally actuated each time said control means is energized,

said counter means being intercoupled such that, upon attainment of a predetermined count representing an end of polish supply, said aperiodic switching means is inhibited.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which,

said polish containing and supplying means includes aerosol spray means.

8. Apparatus for automatically shining a shoe which comprises:

brushes operably positioned to engage a shoe to be polished,

a coin acceptor for enabling the coupling of energizing electric power from a source to said apparatus in response to the insertion of predetermined coins,

switching means operated in programmed sequence in response to a manually initiated signal,

a reciprocally actuated arrangement for driving the brushes into engagement with a shoe to be polished,

said drive arrangement comprising at least one brush,

a light source, a light shield positioned corresponding in a first direction to an extreme desired travel position of said brush, a photocell positioned for movement with said brush into illuminated relation with said light source at an extreme position, relay operated switch means for reversing polarity of power supplied to said inductive arrangement, and means connecting said photocell in operating relation with said relay operated switch means,

whereby said brush is driven by said arrangement into a reverse, second direction upon illumination of said photocell at an extreme brush position.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 further comprising:

cyclic control means coupled between said coin acceptor and said switching means for enabling said switching means to progress once through its programmed sequence in response to each of but two spaced apart manual initiating signals.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 further comprising:

aerosol polish dispensing means controlled by said switching means,

said switching means including sequencing means for interrupting the operation of said drive arrangement during dispensing of polish,

said apparatus further comprising coin rejecting circuitry controlled by said dispensing means for rendering said apparatus substantially inoperative after a predetermined number of polish dispensings.

11. A coin-operated shoe shine apparatus for receiving and sequentially cleaning, applying polish to, and bufiing a shoe, and then allowing a repetition of said sequence for a second shoe within the period of operation of the apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

.a foot rest for receiving and properly positioning the shoe,

a plurality of brushes positioned for operably engaging the sides and vamp of a shoe positioned on said foot rest,

electrically controlled drive means associated with said brushes for imparting reciprocating motion thereto,

electrically controlled applicator means for applying polish to said shoe, and

a control circuit for said apparatus including (a) a coin acceptor for supplying energizing electric power to said apparatus,

(b) switching means for selectively opera-ting said brush drive means and said polish applicating means, and

(c) means in said control circuit for maintaining energization of the apparatus after said first sequence of operation, said means being operable to deenergize said apparatus after a second sequential operation.

12. A coin-operated shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 11 including I a programming motor for effecting automatic sequential operation of said switching means for said brush drive and said polish applicator, and

a manually operated switch for energizing said motor and initiating said sequential operation of the brush drive and polish applicator,

said motor being energized for one shoe shining cycle and then automatically deenergized awaiting reenergization by a subsequent operation of said manually operated switch.

13. A coin-operated shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 12 including linkage means for coupling said programming motor to said means for deenergization of the apparatus after two shoe shine cycles,

whereby said motor will actuate said last named means once for every two cyclic operations of said selectively operable switching means.

14. A coin-operated shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said electrically controlled drive means for said brushes includes an induction drive comprised of a pair of coils that are alternately energized to effect reciprocal movement of the brushes,

control means for said induction drive comprising a circuit which is energized by the closing of a selectively operable switching means and normally supplies current to energize one of said coils,

.a reversing switch in said circuit adapted to alternately supply energy to one of said induction coils, and

photoelectric sensing means for operating said current reversing switch to effect reciprocal movement.

15. A coin-operated shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 14 further including a homing switch adapted to be connected in circuit to one of said induction coils upon the opening of said selectively operable switching means,

said homing switch including an actuating lever connected to said switch and adapted, upon engagement by the induction drive means, to open said last named switch and deenergize said one coil.

16. A coin-operated shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said electrically controlled applicator means includes first and second liquid polish reservoirs adapted to store liquid polishes of different colors,

spray heads operably positioned relative to said foot rest, and tubing connecting said reservoirs to said spray heads,

electrically controlled valve means associated with each of said liquid polish reservoirs,

a manually operable selector means for selectively connecting one of said valve means in circuit with said aforementioned selectively operable switching means of said control circuit,

whereby the desired color of polish can be dispensed by said spray heads.

17. A coin-operated shoe shine apparatus as defined in claim 16 further including a pair of counters associated with the respective valve means and responsive to the operation thereof after a preassigned number of applications to generate a warning signal indicative of exhaustion of the selected one of said polishes, and

disappointed operator. 18. An automatic coin-operated shoe shine apparatus for receiving and sequentially, cleaning, applying polish:

to, and bufiing a shoe, and then allowing a repetition of said sequence for a second shoe within the period of'operation of the apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

a foot rest for receiving and properly positioning the shoe,

a plurality of brushes positioned for operably engaging the sides and vamp of a shoe positioned on said foot rest,

electrically controlled drive means associated with said brushes for imparting reciprocating motion thereto,

electrical-1y controlled applicator means for applying polish to said shoe,

a control circuit for sequentially and cyclic operation of the brush drive and polish applicator means, said control circuit including (a) a coin acceptor for enabling the coupling of energizing electric power from a source to said apparatus in response to the insertion of predetermined coins,

(b) a plurality of switching devices divided into a first and second group, and

(c) electrically controlled programming means associated with said first and second group of switches for selectively closing said switches in sequence at a first rate for said first group of switches, and at a second rate for said second group, whereby said first group is operated twice during each period of operation of the apparatus, while said second group is operated once,

(d) a manually operable switch in circuit with said programming means for operation thereof to initiate said shoe shining sequence,

(e) one of said first group of switches being operated by said programming means at the end of the sequence of operation to deenergize said programmmg means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,196,659 8/1916 I Burkhart 15-32 2,004,140 6/1935 Thornton 15-35 2,818,589 1/1958 Carter 15-31 3,022,528 2/1962 Pagano 15-31 3,143,752 8/1964 Loebli 15-31 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner E. L. ROBERTS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN AUTOMATICALLY CYCLIC SHOE SHINING APPARATUS FOR AT ANY ONE TIME RECEIVING ONLY ONE SHOE AND HAVING MEANS FOR SEQUENTIALLY CLEANING, APPLYING POLISH, AND BUFFING SAID SHOE AND THEN REPEATING SUCH SEQUENCE FOR A SECOND PRESENTED SHOE DURING THE SAME CYCLE OF AUTOMATIC OPERATION, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: AN ENERGIZED FIRST LEAD, AN NEUTRAL SECOND LEAD, AN APERIODIC SWITCHING MEANS FOR COUPLING ENERGIZING POWER TO SAID FIRST LEAD, A PLURALITY OF SWITCHING DEVICES DIVIDED INTO A FIRST AND SECOND GROUP, EACH SWITCHING DEVICE BEING COUPLED BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND LEADS, A MOTOR COUPLED BETWEEN SAID LEADS BY WAY OF SAID SWITCHING DEVICES, CAM LINKAGE DRIVEN BY SAID MOTOR AND CONNECTED TO SAID SWITCHING DEVICES FOR ACTUATING SAID TWO GROUPS AT A FIXED ROTIO SUCH THAT THE SWITCHING DEVICES OF SAID FIRST GROUP PROCEED THROUGH TWO CYCLES ENABLING 